Wire Knowledge W-1
W-2 Stranding Comparison
Conductor Coatings/Coverings PURPOSE To facilitate stripping of components applied over the conductor To prevent compound fall-in Improve solderability Prevent Incompatibility Issues Provide electrostatic shielding for overlying insulation TYPES Electroplate or Hot Dip Tin Alloy Metallic Coating Mylar (Opaque), Polyester or Paper Tape Extruded Semi-conducting Polymer Shield for MV Designs W-3
Insulation Types Thermoplastic Definition: A classification for a solid insulation material that can be softened and made to flow by heating, extruded onto wire and quenched in cool water to make solid again. It can readily be softened and re-softened by repeated heating, but remains in a safely usable solid form when operated within its rated temperature limits. Types High Molecular Weight Polyethylene HMPE PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) Polypropylene Tefzel Teflon Normal Temperature Rating 75 o 60 o, 75 o, 90 o C 80 o 150 o 150 o or 200 o C W-4
Insulation Types Thermoset Definition: A classification for an insulation that is extruded onto wire and then, when subject to heat and pressure, undergoes a chemical change known as vulcanization, cross-linking or curing. The process fixes (sets) the physical properties of the material so that if it is again exposed to heat, the material will not melt, flow or drip. Types XLPE XLPO (LSZH) FR-EP Silicone Rubber Hypalon (Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene) Normal Temperature Rating 90 o C 90 o C 90 o C 125 o C 90 o C W-5
Insulation Types Thermoset (Cont.) The preceding insulations are typically those used for low voltage applications (2000V or less). Listed below are insulations that are currently used in medium voltage (2001V and above) applications and high Integrity, low voltage cable designs. Normal Types Temperature Rating Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) 105 C Ethylene-Propylene-Rubber (EPR) 105 C Ethylene Propylene Polymer (EPM) 105 C Ethylene Propylene Diene Polymer (EPDM 105 C Ethylene Alkene Co-Polymer (EAM) 105 C W-6
Insulation Types Thermoset (Cont.) Thermoset insulations normally include a chemical catalyst additive such as sulfur or peroxide that provides the means for cross-linking of the material on the molecular level. Heat kicks off the cross-linking process and pressure is required to prevent bubbles/voids from forming due to out-gassing that occurs during the process. Following are processes typically used to make a material thermoset: Pressurized high temperature steam or Nitrogen cure (CV-Continuous Vulcanization) Lead or polymer mold - steam autoclave cure Moisture catalyst cure/cross-linking High energy electron beam cross-linking W-7
Jackets PURPOSE To protect the underlying cable core from mechanical, moisture and chemical damage during the installation and service life of the cable Enhance flame resistance Improve sunlight and electrical surface tracking resistance Facilitate installation Provide means for cable identification and grouping W-8
Types of Jackets Thermoplastic Polyvinyl Chloride PVC Polyethylene PE Nylon (Polyamide) Chlorinated Polyethylene CPE Thermoplastic Polyolefin TPO Thermoset Neoprene (Polychloroprene) CR Hypalon (Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene) CSPE, CP Nitrile / PVC (Blend of Nitrile Rubber & PVC) NBR/PVC Chlorinated Polyethylene CPE Cross-linked Polyolefin XLPO W-9
Single Conductor 600 Volt Cables THW THHN / THWN XLP-XHHW EPR HYPALON Supply Problem Stock Stock Stock Lowest Cost Low Cost-Circuit Sizes Low Cost-Large Sizes Highest Cost 75 o C 90 o C / 75 o C 90 o C 90 o C / 75 o C Colors Colors Colors Black Only Larger OD Small OD Small OD Larger OD Fair Electricals Fair Electricals Good Electricals Good Electricals Good Moisture Res. Good Moisture Res. Excellent Moisture Res. Excellent Moisture Res. Pulls Easy Pulls Easy Pulls Easy Pulls Harder Good Flame Res. Good Flame Res. Poor Flame Res. Good Flame Res. Good Oil Res. Good Oil Res. Poor Oil Res. Good Oil Res. Good Chemical Good Chemical Good Chemical Good Chemical Poor Low Temp. -10 o C(+14 o ) Poor Low Tep. -10 o C (+14 o ) Excellent Low Temp. Good Low Temp. W-10
Single Conductor Assemblies Tray Cable & Interlocked Armor WHY USED: Lower installed cost system compared to pipe & wire Complete system installed at one time Accidental installation damage easily found and repaired when installed in tray Easier/cheaper to accommodate future changes in branch circuits/taps when installed in tray Same cable can be used in wide variety of installations tray, duct, conduit, aerial or direct buried Jacket on UL Type TC (Tray Cable) and Armored (UL Type MC) provides mechanical, moisture and chemical protection during installation Greatly enhanced flame retardant system W-11
Tray Cable & Interlocked Armor Comparison TRAY CABLE Lighter Easier To Install Lower Cost INTERLOCKED CABLE More Rugged Better Flame Color Coding / Phase Identification Color Coding Methods (8 total) o Method 1 Full Colored Phase Conductors o Method 2 Printed Numbers & Color (1-Black) o Method 4 Black Phase Conductors With Printed Numbers (1-One) NEC Requirements ICEA Standard Color Coding Tables (7 total) Table E-2 for NEC Applications (ICEA S-73-532) W-12
Tray Cable & Interlocked Armor WHERE USED: In Industrial Establishments In Process Industries: Petrochemical Pulp & Paper Chemical Plants Automotive Steel Mills Cogeneration Waste Water Treatment On Cable Tray Support Systems Some Usage In: Conduit Direct Burial Underground Duct Aerial Messenger Supported W-13
Medium Voltage Cable 2001 Volt Through 35kV MEDIUM VOLTAGE CABLE: Cables having a voltage rating of 2001 volts and higher CONSTRUCTION COMPARISON: BASIC CABLE 600V Conductor Insulation Jacket (optional) MV Conductor Conductor Shield Insulation Insulation Shield (5kV-35kV) Jacket DEFINITION OF SHIELDING: Shielding of an electric power cable is the practice of confining the electric field of the cable within the insulation surrounding the conductor. It is accomplished by means of semiconducting conductor shield and, semiconducting insulation shield that is in combination with an overlying metallic shield W-14
Medium Voltage Cable Conductor (Strand) Shield PURPOSE To prelude excessive voltage stress on voids between conductor and insulation and eliminate voltage stress enhancing protrusions/ dimensional irregularities to provide a smooth electrode TYPE Extruded semi-conducting material compatible with the insulation and the conductor and shall have allowable operating temperatures equal to or higher than those of the insulation BASIC REQUIREMENTS Firmly bonded to the overlying insulation Easily removable from the conductor Chemically, physically and thermally compatible with conductor and insulation W-15
Medium Voltage Cable Conductor (Strand) Shielding The semi-conductive layer between conductor and insulation which compensates for air voids that exist between conductor and insulation. Air is a poor insulator, having a nominal dielectric strength of only 55 volts per mil, while most cable insulations have dielectric strengths over 700 volts/mil. Without strand shielding an electrical potential exists that will over-stress these air voids. As air breaks down or ionizes, it goes into corona (partial discharges). This forms ozone which chemically deteriorates cable insulations. The semi-conductive strand shielding eliminates this potential by simply shorting out the air. Modern cables are generally constructed with an extruded strand shield. Corona Discharges Conductor Strand Shielding Insulation W-16
Medium Voltage Cable Insulation Types Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLP) Unfilled vs. Mineral Filled Tree Retardant (TRXLPE) Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) EPDM, EPM and EAM XLP or EPR Both are excellent solid dielectric 105 o C rated for XLP 105 o C rated for EPR XLP Lower Cost Better Electricals Mechanically Tougher EPR More Flexible Easier to Install Better Water Treeing Resistance (Electric Utility Application) Better Flame Resistance Increased Thermal Stability W-17
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION Insulation Level 100% = GROUND FAULT CLEARING TIME <= 1 MIN. 133% = GROUND FAULT CLEARING TIME <= 1 HR. 173% = GROUND FAULT CLEARING TIME INDEFINITE W-18
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION Cable Insulation Thickness Comparison Chart Industry Standard UL MV-105, ICEA S-93-639 AEIC CS8 ICEA S-97-682 5kV- 100% 5kV- 133% 8kV- 100% 15kV- 100% 15kV- 133% 25kV- 100% 25kV- 133% 35kV- 100%.090.090.115.175.220.260.345.345.090.115.115.175.220.260.345.345 W-19
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION SHIELD (NON-METALLIC) PURPOSE To confine the electric field within the cable insulation To obtain symmetrical radial distribution of voltage stress within the solid dielectric (insulation) To reduce hazard of shock to personnel To eliminate damaging effects of varying electrical conductivity of installation environment To transfer cable insulation charging current to the metallic shield W-20
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION SHIELD (METALLIC) PURPOSE To safely carry the cable charging current off to a solid ground point To provide a substantial barrier for an increase in flame retardancy of the cable core To protect the cable core from mechanical damage, including rodent/termite attack (Bronze tape) To assist in carrying fault current (Not primary function and capability will depend on cross section/size of the metallic shield) W-21
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION SHIELD (METALLIC) TYPES Corrugated longitudinally applied copper wires Helically applied copper wires (drain wire/concentric neutral) Helically applied and overlapped copper tape Lateral serve, corrugated copper tape W-22
Medium Voltage Cable JACKETS Thermoplastic Polyvinyl Chloride PVC Linear Low Density Polyethylene LLDPE Chlorinated Polyethylene CPE Semiconducting Chlorinated Polyethylene CPE Thermoplastic Polyolefin TPO W-23
Medium Voltage Cable SHIELDED VS. NON-SHIELDED Shielded Cable Non-Shielded Cable Most reliable, long-lived cable design Provides uniform stress distribution eliminating possibility of surface tracking and discharges Termination kits required Reduces shock hazard to personnel Protection provided for cables connected to overhead lines or otherwise subject to induced potentials Less costly than shielded cable May be susceptible to surface discharges in wet, contaminated areas No termination kits required lower cost installation Shock hazard to personnel does exist Convenient for terminating in motor terminal boxes where there is no room for stress cones on shielded cables NOTE: NON-SHIELDED AVAILABLE IN ONLY 2.4kV, MAX W-24
Medium Voltage Cable INSULATION COMPOUND COMPARISONS INSULATION Thermal Stability Moisture Resistance Ruggedness Flexibility Splicability Oil Resistance Chemical Res. Flame Res. Smoke Environment Acid Gas Generation Dissipation Factor SIC Dielectric Strength Impulse Strength Corona Resistance Electrical Stability H20 Dielectric Losses Cost XLP 3 5 4 1 3 2 3 1 2 4 5 5 4 5 4 4 5 4 TR-XLP 3 5 4 1 3 2 3 1 2 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 4 3 EPR 5 4 3 3 4 2 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 5 5 3 2 Ratings: 5 = Exceptional 4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor W-25
Medium Voltage Cable JACKET COMPOUND COMPARISONS JACKET MATERIAL Physical Toughness Heat Resistance Flexibility Moisture Resistance Oil Resistance PVC 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 2 1 3 5 LT-PVC 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 2 2 3 4 PE 3 1 2 5 1 4 4 4 4 1 5 5 5 CPE 4 4 1 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 5 3 HYP 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 POLYO 4 4 1 3 4 4 4 3 4 5 5 4 1 Sunlight Resistance Chemical Resistance Low Temp. Properties Flame Resistance Smoke Emission Char Acid Gas Emission Coef Friction Cost Ratings: 5 = Exceptional 4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor W-26
All Products Flame Tests UL Horizontal Flame Test UL Vertical Flame Test VW-1 Vertical Wire Flame Test IEEE-383 & UL 70,000 BTU/HR Ribbon Burner Flame Test UL-TC, For CT Use UL-LS ICEA T-29-520 210,000 BTU/HR Ribbon Burner Flame Test IEEE-1202 FT-4 W-27
Codes & Standards NEC UL CSA ICEA NEMA AEIC ASTM IEEE National Electrical Code Underwriters Laboratories Canadian Standards Association Insulated Cable Engineers Association National Electrical Manufacturers Association Association of Edison Illuminating Co s. American Society for Testing & Materials Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers W-28